Soul Train Awards, Rap Greats Salute Heavy D

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(AllHipHop News) On the evening prior to his being laid to rest, Dwight Arrington Myers was saluted by peers and fans at the taping of the Soul Train Awards 2011 in Atlanta.

On the red carpet, Kurtis Blow, Daddy O, and Naughty by Nature shared memories and reflections on Heavy’s life. Soul for Real also walked the carpet dressed in all black. “We are still kind of in shock mode; we’re mourning,” the group expressed, “We had our ups and downs with Hev, but the most important thing right now is the good times that we had.”

“It was a shock because he was only 44, and here I am 52,” said Kurtis Blow, “I don’t know anyone on the planet who has ever said anything bad about Heavy D. Everyone loved him. He had a great personality, character, he was humble, and fun. Everyone loved him, to see him not here not is just a shocking shame.”

Dressed in throwback gear, Goodie Mob and Big Daddy Kane joined Kurtis Blow, Daddy O, and Naughty by Nature for a brief medley of Heavy’s songs that was preceded by a video of the Mount Vernon, New York rapper’s accepting a Soul Train award in 1990 for the debut album from Heavy D and the Boyz, Big Tyme.

The tribute concluded with the chorus from “Nothin’ But Love,” where the audience held up orange glow sticks and repeated the chant, “We got nothin’ but love for you, Heavy!” while the deceased rapper’s portrait was illuminated on the screens. On each picture was Heavy D’s last Tweet, “Be Inspired.”

The Soul Train Awards also featured a tribute to Nick Ashford, who also passed away this year. Ashford’s wife and writing partner, Valerie Simpson, dedicated and presented the first ever, “Ashford and Simpson Songwriting Award” for Record of the Year to Marsha Ambrosius for her hit single, “Far Away.”

The Soul Train Awards will air on November 27 at 9pm on BET and Centric.